florida dems mostly support bailout; repubs, not so much

In a stunning defeat that sent the stock market into a tailspin yesterday, legislators took their toys and went home. Who voted on which side of the fence? From Florida Trend (www.floridatrend.com) comes this overview and a list of how our Florida reps weighed in.
WASHINGTON D.C.:
Bush, Economic Leaders, Congress Regroup After Bailout’s Defeat
“Defying President Bush [...]

what is the election going to cost you (in taxes, that is)?

Trying to figure out the tax implications of the presidential candidates? Here is a calculator that may help you out.
http://www.electiontaxes.com/

found best tex-mex in orlando, bar none

Ever since I moved to Orlando eight years ago, I pine for authentic, yummy Tex-Mex. It would not seem to be so difficult as you can find this on every third corner in Houston, Austin and Dallas.
And yet, few manage to compare here in O-town.
I was actually so desperate that Amigos (on Church, Colonial and a [...]

it’s in the bag … or is it?

Have you stopped using plastic grocery bags? Here is an interesting article on their alternatives: http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122238422541876879.html

ironic … tragic … pick a descriptor

First I am watching the GOP convention. Next, I am following Tina Fey channelling Sarah. Then Sara channeling Tina mimicking Sarah (very amusing, see previous post). Charlie and Katie … eegads. Could it get any worse?
With some reluctance I share Miss Teen reflections.

ironic

Tina Fey may have a little comedic competition channeling Sarah Palin in a few years. Of course, with any luck, by then, Sarah will be little more than a footnote in history books. Here are a few of Sara Benincasa’s vlogs … for more, check out http://www.sarabenincasa.com/

getting a grip in this wobbling economy

I am a big fan of Tony Robbins. Awakening the Giant Within changed the course of my life gosh maybe 15 years ago. I also have revisited his videos, Personal Power, a zillion times. I even walked on fire (which is an amazing cool experience) when he came to Orlando a few years ago.
I got [...]

lest we live the unexamined life

If you are feeling like the lone bird in Orlando (witnessed by this feathered fellow on Lake Eola) because you are new to us, there is a place to land.
Thanks to a friend I have discovered an Orlando resource: http://www.examiner.com/Orlando
Check it out and tell me what you think.

worth repeating

you know, that dream?

OK, so some people have the dream in which they are caught undressed in public.
My dream — that I’ve had for so many years — is that I was at my middle school and I could hardly find my locker. Only to discover that it was filled with books I had not seen, the bell [...]

a variety of financial calculators to help you plan

Money & Business Calculators (from US News and World Report)

 

Budget Analysis
Net Worth Calculator
Student Budget Calculator
Cost of Living Calculator
Cost-of-Debt Calculator
Savings Calculator
How Do I Reach My Retirement Goal?
How Much Money Will I Need for Retirement?
What Job is Right for You?
Salary Wizard: How Much Are You Worth?
Auto Loan Calculator
Buy or Lease a Vehicle?
How Much Car Can You Afford?
Do [...]

this idea is tops

Here’s a crafty solution to standard ceiling heights, unceremoniously borrowed with credit to Kelly at Kitchen Sync. I don’t want to toy too much with the 8-footers during the renovation but I like the notion of varying ceiling heights and thought about using coffers in the bedroom and perhaps beadboard and molding in other places. [...]

women in philanthropy

From US News and World Report:
Analysis of Internal Revenue Service data by Grant Thornton shows that for the first time, women gave more money than men in 2005, according to the latest publicly available tax return data. Women gave $21.7 billion, compared with male donors’ $16.8 billion. Earlier this year, JPMorgan reported that two thirds [...]

the law of unintended consequences

I have a bit of a water issue at house 2. (Side note: Am thinking of referring to them as Thing 1 and Thing 2, a la Dr. S, but …). There is a dip in the driveway. Rumor has it that water has never ever entered the house. Repurposing the carport as a garage [...]

is it your time to fly?

While I am quoting somewhat obscure poetry, allow me to share another little piece I like, written in the 1960s by English poet Christopher Logue and inspired by French surrealist poet Guillaume Apollinaire.
Come to the Edge
Apollinaire said:
“Come to the edge.
We might fall.
Come to the edge.
It’s too high!
Come to the edge.
And they came,
and he pushed,
And they [...]

14th century poet on target for today too

Right after 9/11 I discovered a poem from Sufi poet, Hafiz, who was writing in 14th century Persia. This one really spoke to me, and as I reflect on the craziness in the market, economy, wars, politics and even the tragically missing child, Caylee Marie Anthony, in Orlando … I’d like to share it with you. [...]

fun with paper

 
OK, so here’s some fun with paper. Things have progressed since origami, huh?
http://www.eepybird.com/
Scroll down to see the video demos.

channeling tim egan: moo

http://egan.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/09/17/moo/?em

presidential tv commercials in review

The media has changed our universes, shrinking the world and zapping  info and mis-info around the planet lickety split. Last few weeks have been 24/7 news with Fay, Ike and little Caylee Anthony. I’ve never seen such dreadful reporting. But the fact remains that the media influences voters, for better or for worse.
This site offers a [...]

done done done done done

Have I mentioned that I’m done with my general contractor? Have I mentioned that he had some weird meltdown for which he must be very embarrassed? (and I have on voice mail and email, wow) Have I mentioned that I am finally done? It was almost a year to the day (on the “30- to 90-day, even [...]

short note: done

Well, we are done.
Really.
Reality: Sent a lovely handwritten note and two checks. Wow that got lost in their house. Sadly he didn’t find said checks and note in his kitchen until after I got a really ugly email and voice mail.
So I got all kind of cr@p when i was just doing the right thing.

celebrity voyeur: l&o star’s manhattan view

I wish I could post a picture here but you’ll have to click the link. Sarah may be able to see Russia from her house, but Christopher Meloni, Law and Order star, can see forever from his highrise home. The subsequent slide show offers many other exquisite loveliness for your viewing pleasure.
http://home.aol.com/decorating/photo-gallery/ad450/_a/incredible-views/20080910152509990001

“i can see russia from my house”

This is hilarious and dead-on, pitch perfect. If you missed Tina Fey channeling Sarah Palin, here it is, Live From New York, It’s Saturday Night:
http://www.nbc.com/Saturday_Night_Live/video/clips/palin-hillary-open/656281/
FEY AS PALIN: “Good evening, my fellow Americans. I was so excited when I was told Senator Clinton and I would be addressing you tonight.”
POEHLER AS CLINTON: “And I was told [...]

living like lilliput

My little condo on the ocean is only 450 square feet. Tiny by most standards. Without the balcony overlooking the waves, it would be a little too cozy for me. It’s smartly designed, with a murphy bed, custom cabinetry and multiuse furniture. In fact, it follows Susanka’s philosophy of small footprints allowing for finer finishes.
There [...]

follow ike

I am all a-twitter. Happily the family is OK in Houston but there is significant damage from Galveston throughout the southeastern portion of the state. A friend lost her home as part of the island was submerged. Austin-American Statesman reporters are posting on Twitter.
http://twitter.com/trackingike?page=1

a mere eight weeks

Though I do not ordinarily look to Matt Damon for political influence, I will say that I’m not sure I’ve heard anyone else articulate the thoughts in my head quite so accurately.

avocado recipe 5

Here’s a bloody Mary recipe just in time for football Sundays:
1 46-oz can tomato juice
1 garlic clove, minced
½ small avocado
¼ cup Worcestershire sauce
1½ oz lemon juice
1½ tbsp steak sauce
2 tsp cracked pepper
1½ tsp celery salt
1½ tsp hot sauce
1 tsp horseradish
Purée garlic, avocado, and eight ounces of the tomato juice in a food processor or blender [...]

let us never forget

God bless the troops defending our county and our constitutional rights as Americans. Please keep them out of harm’s way.
Jeff Buckley Halleluja Music via Noolmusic.com

avocado recipe 4

I adore ceviche and enjoyed this one, from Emeril, with a citrus twist.
1/4 cup kosher salt, plus more for seasoning
1 pound medium shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 lemons, juiced
2 limes, juiced
2 oranges, juiced
1 cup cucumber, peeled, seeded and diced into 1/4-inch pieces
1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped
2 Serrano chiles, seeded and finely chopped
1 cup seeded and [...]

avocado recipe 3

Shrimp And Crab Ceviche With Avocado
CDKitchen http://www.cdkitchen.com
Category: Ceviche
Serves/Makes: 6    |   Difficulty Level: 3    |   Ready In: 2-5 hrs
Ingredients:
1/2 pound plum tomatoes; halved, seeded
1 large red bell pepper; halved, seeded
1 large jalapeno chili; halved, seeded
1 medium white onion; cut into 6 wedges
6 tablespoons lime juice
2 tablespoons orange juice
1 tablespoon catsup
1 teaspoon horseradish
1/2 teaspoon Tabasco [...]

celebrity voyeur: sjp’s hamptons kitchen

Remodelista sources the products:
http://www.remodelista.com/2008/09/02/steal-this-look-sarah-jessica-parker-kitchen/

avocado recipe 2

Check out this easy-to-prepare chili from Better Homes and Gardens. It’s loaded with protein, fiber and healthy fat. This is what’s for dinner tomorrow night.
Ingredients
1 large onion, chopped
2 tsp. dried oregano, crushed
2 tsp. olive oil
2 14.5-oz. cans diced tomatoes, undrained
1 15-oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 15-oz. can pinto beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup guajillo [...]

the masking tape myth

Perhaps it was a vast masking tape industry conspiracy but I still see folks taping their windows to protect their glass and homes.
It doesn’t work.
Check www.flash.org for more tips on hurricane (and other disaster) action steps. Here’s a link to their overall resource page, which offers dozens of publications and tools: http://flash.org/resourceCenter.cfm

florida tourist campaign 7

florida tourist campaign 6

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